Some must see's at AK?

[hanlin]

Hi! I'm busy mapping out our trip for 4/29-5/4. We are planning a half day or all day (opinions, please) at AK. Can you give me some must sees here. I'm at a loss. My girls will be 6 and they love, love, love animals. They would love to see real animals. I would love to split the day with Epcot if we could. Tell me what you think! Thanks!

 

[luv2nascar]

safari ride. My kids don't care for the its tough to be a bug movie. Festival of Lion King is a great show that we love. I don't care for the whole Dinoland carnival feel.

 

[padisneylover]

Make sure to see all the animals along the trail. Let all the people run by and just stop and look. It is amazing what you can see in this park when you are not in a hurry. Also the Lion King Show is not to be missed.

 

[Pigletlover]

Some people only allocate Animal Kingdom a half day, something I strongly disagree with. We always allocate 2 days at each of the 4 main parks and STILL never have time to see and do everything. So I suggest allocating one full day to Animal Kingdom, especially since it often closes at 5 pm, which is quite early.

There are many animals in several different areas, so your children should love it. I made a post in the following thread, listing all the animals that we saw (and where they were). Just scroll down to post #21 by Pigletlover:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=992873&page=2

There is so much wonderful theming and detail and little extra things to see and do at Animal Kingdom that many people probably don't notice some of them. Read the rest of the above thread to find out about the talking palm tree, the human vine Devine, the talking trashcan, and the talking bushes.

Considering the age of your children, I would say don't miss these things:

Kilimanjaro Safari
Maharajah walking trail
Pangani walking trail

It's tough to be a bug (4D show)
Festival of the Lion King show
Pocahontas show (this has animals)
Flights of Wonder bird show

Rafiki's Planet Watch (you take a train there)
The afternoon parade

And make sure you take a close look at the big Tree of Life to see all the wonderful animal carvings on it.

 

[DKx3]

I would plan a whole day at AK. We went on a very low crowd day in Nov. and were there from 9am opening until we had to leave at 3pm to get to Hoop Dee Doo Revue. We could've spent more time there. We did the safari, the Maharajah jungle trek, Dinosaur 3 times, Kali River Rapids 3 times. Lion King is a must see. We also saw Tarzan rocks, once is enough (although I could stand to see more of Tarzan). We liked Tough to be a Bug, my 8 year old wasn't thrilled with it. You can do it in half a day, but to really take it all in you'd need a full day.

 

[jonestavern]

I agree with all of the above--love that Lion King show!!!
we like the street musicians, also, they can really get everyone dancing!
Be sure to ask the CMs all about the animals--they are a wealth of information!
we like to eat at Flame Tree Barbeque--there are 2 pavilions down the trail that have a great view of EE & the character boat will come right by. Beware these are popular places to eat/sit--so go earlier or later for yr lunch. With the kiddoes, you'll have to have one parent scope out a table & the other parent bring the food down. there is a condiments/utensil kiosk, in one pavilion (at least there was this past Dec)
If you can't get the pavilions, there is a path leading to a little pond with ducks is a nice place to eat, too. Lots of duckie interaction!

Jean

 

[Pigletlover]

I forgot to mention that your children would probably enjoy Animal Kingdom a lot more than Epcot. Most of Epcot's attractions are more suited to older children and adults. There are not too many things suitable for a 6 year old.

So if you decide to split a day between Animal Kingdom and Epcot, I would spend more time at Animal Kingdom, then go to Epcot.

These are the Epcot attractions that would appeal the most to their age:

In Future World:

Honey I Shrunk the Audience (4D show)
Journey into Imagination ride (not too exciting for adults)

Soarin (Gentle simulator. Get a Fastpass if you can because it's popular)
Circle of Life (Environmental film. Can be skipped if you don't have time)

The Living Seas (Don't miss the cute "Turtle Talk with Crush" show)

Future World closes earlier than World Showcase, so do the above attractions first. Go to Soarin first to see if there are any Fastpasses left.


In World Showcase:

Maelstrom boat ride in Norway
El Rio del Tiempo boat ride in Mexico
The Chinese Acrobats show in China (scheduled times)

 

[SqueakyMouse]

AK has become our favorite WDW park!!! This is a place where the little things are as enjoyable as the major attractions. As far as big attractions, my children love the Lion King show, the bird show, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl, and the Safari. As far as the little things go...take time to check-out the different performers. My kids enjoy them all, expecially DeVine!! If you visit on a pleasant day, have breakfast on the terrace at Tusker House. Over Christmas, the performers here began early in the day. Or have lunch in the gardens behind Flame Tree BBQ. My kids love watching the large birds here. By all means, visit the animal trails early in the day, before they grow crowded. The experience will be so much more special! As you leave the park, take time for one last photo with the characters out front, generally to the left as you exit the turnstiles.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Festival of the Lion King!!!

I swear, I would go to AK just for that show alone!

I also love the Jammin' Jungle parade!

I think if your girls LOVE animals it might be hard to split AK with Epcot.

AK is usually open til 5pm, so you could go to Epcot after AK closes, but that will be a really long day.

The thing with AK (for me) is the Jammin' Jungle Parade is at 4pm, I've always wished it was a 2 or 3pm, so you could see the parade and then have plenty of time to do another park. Ideally I could go to AK at 9am when they open and be ready to go at 3pm, but I'd really hate to miss Jammin' Jungle though.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For little girls who love animals, how's Rafiki's Planet Watch, especially the petting farm? Pocohontas and her Forest Friends? I would think the animal training session of Pocohontas might be really good.

 

[lilostitch]

Some people only allocate Animal Kingdom a half day, something I strongly disagree with. We always allocate 2 days at each of the 4 main parks and STILL never have time to see and do everything. So I suggest allocating one full day to Animal Kingdom, especially since it often closes at 5 pm, which is quite early.

There are many animals in several different areas, so your children should love it. I made a post in the following thread, listing all the animals that we saw (and where they were). Just scroll down to post #21 by Pigletlover:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=992873&page=2

There is so much wonderful theming and detail and little extra things to see and do at Animal Kingdom that many people probably don't notice some of them. Read the rest of the above thread to find out about the talking palm tree, the human vine Devine, the talking trashcan, and the talking bushes.

Considering the age of your children, I would say don't miss these things:

Kilimanjaro Safari
Maharajah walking trail
Pangani walking trail

It's tough to be a bug (4D show)
Festival of the Lion King show
Pocahontas show (this has animals)
Flights of Wonder bird show

Rafiki's Planet Watch (you take a train there)
The afternoon parade

And make sure you take a close look at the big Tree of Life to see all the wonderful animal carvings on it.

I am in 100% agreement with Pigletlover. We were at AK last week (I miss WDW ) and AK is always fun, especially for my 6 year old DD.
She says her favorite thing at AK was the "petting zoo", which you get to by taking the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. She was also chosen from the audience to participate in The Lion King show (arrive early, sit as close to the front as you can, and put the girls on the end of the aisle). She also loved Pochahontas show, it is on a smaller scale, but my daughter really enjoyed it. For the live animals you have to do Kilimanjaro Safari, Maharajah walking trail, and Pangani walking trail. The Safari is amazing.

Have a great time!!!

 

[yhwhs5]

Our family is going the same week as you and I was working on our itinerary as well. Thanks for the thread. I noticed when checking the EMH that on Wed., May 3, AK is opened until 8 PM! For on-site guests, that means we have an extra three hours to explore after closing.

According to allears.net, the following AK attractions are open during evening EMH:

The Boneyard
Dinosaur
Festival of the Lion King -- 5:30 p.m.
It's tough to be a Bug
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl
Tarzan Rocks -- 6:15 p.m.
TriceraTop Spin

...and the following Dining Locations:
Flame Tree BBQ - closes at 7 p.m.
Pizzafari - closes at 7 p.m.
Rainforest Cafe
Restaurantosaurus - closes at 8 p.m.

Hope this helps!
Melissa

 

[qtwns]

They will love AK! Plan to stay the whole day. But be aware of ITTBAB. My boys 8, 6 & 6 do not like it--too many 4D surprises and big scary spiders. We held our boys in our laps their first visit to spare them some of the surprises and they still won't go back. You know your girls, so read up on it in the UG and decide. They may love it!

 

[lilostitch]

Oooh, I forgot to mention Tarzan Rocks. It is a good show and I hear they are switching it out soon. It is loud, but really good.

 

[eblack0409]

Must sees: Dinosour, Kilamanjaro Safari, and if it's open Expedition Everest...I am hoping to see the Lion King show next time we go!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

When we go there, we always do the Safari ride, walk the trails in Africa and Asia, and look for the turtle (half the time he is hiding on the other side of the pen). AK is one of our top parks to visit. We seem to find something new each time.